US Census Deadline Moved To Oct. 5

The U.S. Census deadline is changing again, and now, it is due Monday, Oct. 5. 

"The self-response deadline was actually July 31 originally, but when COVID-19 occurred, several of the field offices had to shut down, and that is when the date changed to the end of October," said Brent Kinsling, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce executive director. 

The hard December 31 deadline remains the same as states must turn in the completed document. 

In 2000, Oklahoma lost its 6th congressional seat. In 2010, the focus was blurry when it came to the census.

"We estimated over the last 10 years or not counted was about $1,675. So around $1,700, we lost out on if someone wasn't counted or we gained because they were," said Kisling.  

With millions of dollars on the table the state Department of Commerce is working on getting the count as accurate as possible, but the goal by Monday is to reach the 99% mark. 

"Our goal from the beginning to break through 4 million people in Oklahoma. They have estimated us at 3.95 million. We believe there is more than 4 million," said Kisling.  

Officials said there are concerning areas of the state where they are working on getting more responses.

"Southeast Oklahoma, where we still have had a number of addresses need enumerated. So a lot of recourses have been in that area of the state," said Kisling.  

Click here to complete the U.S. Census for Oklahoma.